Your dishwasher just quit. Or your dryer is making that sound. And now you're standing there doing the mental math — do I fix this thing, or do I just buy a new one?
There's actually a framework for that decision, and it takes about 60 seconds. Appliance repair professionals have been using it for years — and here’s your chance to use it, too.
This is called the 50% rule, and it's the fastest honest answer you're going to get.
Here's how it works
Take the cost of repair: parts and labor if you're hiring out, or just the part if you're doing it yourself. Now compare it to what it would cost to replace the appliance with a similar new one. If the repair costs less than 50% of a replacement, fix it. If it costs more than 50%, start shopping.
That's it. That's the whole rule.
Say your washing machine needs a new water inlet valve. The part runs about $35 to $50 and takes maybe 30 minutes to replace yourself. A comparable new washer costs $600 to $800. You're looking at roughly 5% of replacement cost. No doubt: Fix it!
Now, if your refrigerator has a bad compressor and a local tech quotes you $400 to $500 for parts and labor, but a similar new fridge runs $900? You're sitting right at that 50% line — and that's where the rule needs a little more thought.
When the math is close, age matters
A five-year-old refrigerator that needs a $400 compressor repair is probably worth fixing. It's got years of life left and the repair brings it back to full function. A 15-year-old unit with the same repair cost is a closer call. After all, that compressor might not be the last thing that goes.
Here’s a general rule of thumb: If the appliance is less than halfway through its expected lifespan, lean toward repair. Most refrigerators are built to last 12 to 15 years. Washers and dryers run 10 to 13 years. Dishwashers go 9 to 12 years (unless you have kids who refuse to rinse their plates first).
Check the age of your appliance and do some quick math there, too.
The case for fixing that often gets ignored
The real cost of a new appliance isn't just the sticker price. There's delivery, installation, haul-away fees and the two weeks you spend waiting for a delivery window. Repair parts, on the other hand, often ship the same day you order them.
Order before 2 p.m. EST (that’s 5 p.m. on the West Coast!) at PartsToday.com and your part goes out same-day. Most customers have it in hand within a day or two.
There's also something to be said for knowing your appliance. You know how it runs. Your family knows how to use it. Older machines were often built with fewer plastic parts and more metal. Your parents' fridge lasted 20 years for a reason.
The 50% rule isn't a guarantee. It's a framework that keeps you from making an emotional, $900 decision when a $45 part would do the job.
Run the numbers first. You might be closer to fixed than you think.